Sally Becker is ‘First Jewish Woman’ to Carry Olympic Flag

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Aerial shot of Olympic Park in London. Photo: wiki commons.

Sally Becker saved hundreds of lives in Bosnia and Kosovo during the 1990’s and was chosen as one of the 8 people to carry the Olympic flag during last Friday’s opening ceremony at the London Olympics.

“I’ve been waiting for someone to tap me on the shoulder and say ‘this is a big mistake,'” she told The Algemeiner.

Becker, who says she was told recently that she is the first Jewish woman to ever carry the Olympic flag during the opening ceremonies, began her humanitarian work by providing aid to the citizens of Mostar, Bosnia, which was split in half by warring forces in 1991.

“I was helping the Jewish community in Mostar because they’d been overlooked,” she said. “I was bringing aid to them, and slowly, I became known in the area. People would let me go right through the checkpoints.”

Eventually, Becker’s efforts would reach into Kosovo as the conflict spread throughout the Balkans.

“It was so simple to save a life, so I decided to continue,” Becker said.

As for her involvement in the opening ceremonies, Becker notes that when she was told about the honor – just 3 weeks ago – she couldn’t believe it.

“I couldn’t believe they had chosen me,” she said.

“We carried the flag up to Mohammad Ali, and he was holding the flag with us. As they played the Olympic anthem, I said a little silent prayer for the athletes who died in Munich.”